I like my driver. He's delivered stuff to me that is worth a lot more than this SS. So I'm not worried about him.

I just thought it was pretty funny and worth a mention with all of the things we try to do to keep these shipments under wraps, not indicate what's in them, etc. I've learned that if a driver or anyone at UPS has half a lick of sense, they're going to make it out pretty easily. YMMV.

I've also attached a pick of how Ruger buggered up my brand new target grips for me.

Given the recent threads about shipping problems with UPS/FedEx/USPS etc. Despite well-meaning advice, even the most non-descript packaging and labeling may not necessarily prevent the average delivery Co. employee from knowing exactly what's in the box.

Forewarned is forearmed.

NavyLCDR

January 30, 2013, 05:32 PM

Given the recent threads about shipping problems with UPS/FedEx/USPS etc. Despite well-meaning advice, even the most non-descript packaging and labeling may not necessarily prevent the average delivery Co. employee from knowing exactly what's in the box.

Forewarned is forearmed.
Ahhh.....OK.

chris in va

January 30, 2013, 05:42 PM

Word of advice. Next time ship through your FFL. They're allowed to ship UPS ground. I've shipped a couple handguns and they only charge $9.

gossamer

January 30, 2013, 06:02 PM

Word of advice. Next time ship through your FFL. They're allowed to ship UPS ground. I've shipped a couple handguns and they only charge $9.
How would paying my FFL to ship this have changed anything? I didn't pay for shipping from Ruger.

Neo-Luddite

January 30, 2013, 06:09 PM

I used to be an Ops Mgr for FedEx; it is the BUSINESS of the employees to know what is in the box for all kinds of reasons, legal and safety related as well as for liablity purposes. Believe me; EVERYONE who interacts with that package KNOWS that it is a firearm. The packaging may be discrete, but every time it is scanned they can see the notation. In fact YOU WANT THEM TO! When my people knew we had a item (such as a weapon) that needed extra security~it was seen to without exception.
Theft by staff is pretty uncommon as it is tracked point-to-point and, you know, you do your best to not hire dirt bags!

Sorry about your grips (!) What are they doing for you?

gossamer

January 30, 2013, 06:17 PM

Well, I sent them pics and they are (hopefully) sending a replacement set. They still have them NOS.

Thanks for the heads up on the Shipping Employees.

oneounceload

January 30, 2013, 07:27 PM

S&W is also nondescript for their returns

9mmepiphany

January 30, 2013, 07:35 PM

I've also attached a pick of how Ruger buggered up my brand new target grips for me.
I was always told to remove the grips from revolvers before shipping...has this changed?

Shadow 7D

January 30, 2013, 07:57 PM

Yeah, but....
the reason it's second day air, is because of theft from INSIDE the system
so, yeah there's a bit of a paranoia when it comes to shipping.

gossamer

January 30, 2013, 09:04 PM

I was always told to remove the grips from revolvers before shipping...has this changed?

Well, the very kind and helpful man who I spoke with at Ruger when I got my RMA# did not mention it. And he'd been there for a few years.

Not sure if it's standard but I wasn't told to do so.

Coop45

January 30, 2013, 09:43 PM

I'm sure my UPS guy has a clue about the heavy boxes from Midway. I hope his hernia surgery works out okay. Really though, after the delivery person sees the same nondescript label for years he has to know what is in the package. It's not like nobody has told him.

dogtown tom

January 30, 2013, 09:47 PM

chris in va Word of advice. Next time ship through your FFL. They're allowed to ship UPS ground. I've shipped a couple handguns and they only charge $9
Since when?:scrutiny:
UPS tariffs make no mention of FFL's being able to use Ground for shipping handguns.

PavePusher

January 30, 2013, 09:48 PM

Well, the very kind and helpful man who I spoke with at Ruger when I got my RMA# did not mention it. And he'd been there for a few years.

Not sure if it's standard but I wasn't told to do so.
Ummm... simple proper packaging would solve this. I.e. some recycled wadded up newspaper for padding so the gun won't move around.

It was shipped in a padded hard case, with 4" of air packing material surrounding that. I mean I admit that it's not wadded newspaper and all, but f it's good enough for professional shipping companies...

Neo-Luddite

January 31, 2013, 08:22 AM

Glad they're taking care of you. I've been lucky enough to not need factory service yet except from SA ~ and they are close enough I drove it over.

radiotom

January 31, 2013, 08:45 AM

My UPS gets to bring 1000 round boxes of ammo up 3 floors of stairs. He is still utterly clueless as to their contents. Michigan....there is seriously no brains up here at all.

El Mariachi

January 31, 2013, 08:46 AM

After getting the runaround from both my local F/Ex and UPS stores (both wanted ninety bucks to over night a tiny Beretta Jet Fire to Florida, and both claimed that was the ONLY way I could ship it thru them), I drove it over to my 001 guy and he stuffed it in a small flat rate $4.95 Priority Mail box and drove it to the Post Office for me. Total charge to me with insurance & tracking? Eight bucks......

dogtown tom

January 31, 2013, 09:58 AM

El Mariachi After getting the runaround from both my local F/Ex and UPS stores (both wanted ninety bucks to over night a tiny Beretta Jet Fire to Florida, and both claimed that was the ONLY way I could ship it thru them), I drove it over to my 001 guy and he stuffed it in a small flat rate $4.95 Priority Mail box and drove it to the Post Office for me. Total charge to me with insurance & tracking? Eight bucks......
If you had read this thread you would know they weren't giving you the runaround:http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=651375
Further, UPS tariff strictly prohibits shipping a firearm from a UPS Store or any third party.

Bubbles

January 31, 2013, 10:09 AM

I used to be an Ops Mgr for FedEx; it is the BUSINESS of the employees to know what is in the box for all kinds of reasons, legal and safety related as well as for liablity purposes. Believe me; EVERYONE who interacts with that package KNOWS that it is a firearm. The packaging may be discrete, but every time it is scanned they can see the notation. In fact YOU WANT THEM TO! When my people knew we had a item (such as a weapon) that needed extra security~it was seen to without exception.
In that case, someone needs to improve your training program or knock some heads. My substitute UPS driver tends to leave firearm shipments that are sent signature required onto my porch and take off without even ringing the doorbell. Fortunately my regular driver has a clue.

mgkdrgn

January 31, 2013, 10:20 AM

Word of advice. Next time ship through your FFL. They're allowed to ship UPS ground. I've shipped a couple handguns and they only charge $9.
Nooo, they are allowed to ship USPS (Post office) ground, not UPS ground. Most will use a Priority Mail flat rate box ... MUCH cheaper.

Fryerpower

January 31, 2013, 10:24 AM

I got a flat rate box delivered to my door yesterday. My very first C&R purchase. A handgun and magazines shipped directly to my door step by USPS Priority with signature confirmation. Everything went great, even with "Classic Firearms" listed as the shipper. I sure hope I continue to have good luck in future purchases.

Jim

ball3006

January 31, 2013, 10:43 AM

When I had my C&R, UPS would not honor it to ship guns. I had to use Fed X. My company I worked for had a contract with Fedx so it ended up cheaper.

A few years ago my Fedx driver was a petite female. I ordered 14 cans of Indian 308 ammo. She was not happy.

My regular UPS driver asked me the other day why I have not been buying guns. I replied I let my license expire when zero was elected president. He laughed....chris3

gossamer

January 31, 2013, 11:57 AM

My UPS gets to bring 1000 round boxes of ammo up 3 floors of stairs. He is still utterly clueless as to their contents. Michigan....there is seriously no brains up here at all.
Brain freeze?